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False Pregnancy Test Results and How It Occurs

Every woman trying for a baby keeps the most common signs of pregnancy on her fingertips so that she can detect conception as soon as it happens. Back pain, movement in the abdomen and missed periods, are some of the most common signs of pregnancy. Majority of woman who start noticing these symptoms become excited that they may be pregnant. Most of them therefore become shocked when they test negative for pregnancy, after experiencing all these symptoms. What could be responsible for this?

Well, the truth is, while pregnancy test strips are manufactured with advanced technology to ensure that they are very accurate, they are not error-proof. This means that it is possible to get a false positive or false negative depending on a woman’s individual circumstances. Sometimes, you may get a positive result multiple times only to be declared negative after getting tested by your physician or gynecologist. Similarly, there have been cases of women testing negative repeatedly at home but declared positively pregnant after further testing in a hospital.

To a very large extent, home pregnancy tests are highly accurate as well as cheap and convenient. As such, they come in handy for every woman trying for a baby. These tests are built to be able to detect the presence of the human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) hormone in the urine of pregnant women. However, there are instances where the accuracy of these tests can be compromised, so let’s take a look at a couple of them.

Failure to Follow Test Instructions

What is the point of having the most sensitive home pregnancy test strips at home if you cannot follow the often simple instructions they come with? It is imperative that you read the step by step instructions on the package of the test strip at least three times before you begin testing. Whether you are asked to pee directly on the test stick or dip it into a cup containing your urine, you should follow it to the core. Generally, using your first urine of the day is a great way to get accurate results and even though you may feel very sleepy when you wake up at dawn, try as much as possible to conduct your pregnancy test at that time.

Testing too Early

Nothing can get you more anxious than waiting to confirm your pregnancy, after feeling a couple of pregnancy signs. However, testing too early after ovulation can lead to a false negative and unnecessary heartache. If you have been led to believe that pregnancy occurs right away and therefore it is okay to test as soon as possible, then you are wrong. Even the most sensitive home pregnancy tests require at least two weeks after fertilization in order to accurately detect pregnancy. Medical professionals recommend that you wait at least 7 days after a missed period in order to start testing for pregnancy. If possible, wait for 14 days after your period delays to find out if you are pregnant or not. 3. Low Hormone Production

Some women naturally produce hormones in low levels meaning even after conception occurs, it takes an abnormally longer time for their bodies to produce the quantity of HCG required for pregnancy to be detected. It takes an abnormally longer time for the fertilized egg to be implanted into the uterus of such women and therefore their tests will likely be negative when conducted earlier than two weeks after missing their periods. The best thing for women with such problems is to schedule an appointment with their doctors for more conclusive pregnancy tests such as ultrasounds.

Women with Irregular Periods

Women with far from regular periods are more likely to get a false negative pregnancy test even if conception has occurred. Such women may experience delayed ovulation which means conception and by extension, implantation may occur later than anticipated. Waiting for at least two weeks after missing your period is the best way to test for pregnancy, if your periods are irregular. A significant percentage of women with irregular periods also have extended durations of ovulation compared with their peers. This leads to late pregnancy and therefore false results when tests are conducted within the normal pregnancy detection window.

You Are Just Not That Pregnant!

The ultimate confirmation of pregnancy is the successful fertilization of a woman’s egg by a healthy sperm as well as the successful implantation of the egg into a woman’s uterus. Unfortunately, this is a delicate and complicated process where a few things can go wrong. Sometimes, you may be testing negative for pregnancy because you are indeed not pregnant. You could follow the best pregnancy tips in the world and still fail to conceive because there are no guarantees when it comes to pregnancy. If that is the case, just brace yourself up and try again next month.

Some medical conditions and certain medications can also lead to negative pregnancy tests even though you may be experiencing symptoms such as back pain, abdominal movement and no period. An ectopic pregnancy which is extremely life threatening for the woman, may be responsible for this while conditions such as menopause, ovarian cysts, and certain types of cancer can also cause this condition. Contact your physician and make sure you state all the symptoms you are experiencing for more tests to be conducted.

Ultimately, always book an appointment with your doctor if you suspect that you are pregnant in order to minimize your stress levels and keep your health in check.